Please Don't Do This....

mdshunk

Was working on a job today... old house that was obviously re-wired by a DIY. A person bought it, and wanted me to "look it over" before they moved the furniture in. That naturally involves lots of time, taking every box apart and examining things. In this one bedroom, things just weren't adding up. I knew that there had to be a buried junction box someplace. Got the ol' wire tracing equipment out, and went for broke. With permission of the new owner, I excavated the drywall and found the buried treasure. Please don't bury junction boxes.... it's a code violation.

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dougchips

Damn, I didn't think anyone would ever find it.

Speedy Petey

But I made sure the splice was reeeeeally safe.

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ProWallGuy

Have the client call me so I can get over there to patch the drywall and touch-up the faux.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

mdshunk

Actually, I did "fix" it, but I forgot to take a pic. I'll be in this house for days, so I'll snap one and post it later. You'll love it.

PipeGuy

You and the "code" thing all the time - sheesh! Next thing you know I'll be hearing how you shouldn't use duct tape to fasten romex to metal studs (so it doesn't chafe against the edge of the pre-stamped openings).

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Fortunately I keep my feathers numbered for...for just such an emergency. -Foghorn Leghorn

mdshunk

Actually, that would be code compliant. The method to support and secure Romex cable is not required to be listed by a nationally recognized testing labratory.

mdshunk

Here's a picture of the "fixed" hole I had to make:

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RobertWilber

ya mean they actually used a box?

K2

We found a buried panel in a school and had another where we never found the panel.

Saw some guys finish a basement, (bootleg), without any access to the mech room. The guys were paid and long gone by the time someone noticed.

d.janvrin

shunk
that patch looks like a code voilation to sheetrockers of america
I hope thats not the finished picture just a temp patch you at least add a receptical, there or a fake switch, or even painted it. would have looked better than that (Just Kidding)reminds me ... You Guys remember back years ago they had like a tin plate with picture painted on it ussually found inside the wall. blocking a chimney hole were the stove used to be .Im sure you have seen them in your remodels. ive seen them in demos All over northeast. there worth big dollars on ebay !!!!

mdshunk

Fear not, then. This interior partition wall is to have a 15 minute flash rating. That "patch" is 1 hour rated. I could have just as easily left the big hole and told them to get someone else to patch it. I decided, because I am a nice guy, to dress it up a little and buy them some time.

JoeTedesco

DIY's, the wonderful world of work by those who give us these treasures!

Please post this and the story at: www.joetedesco.org

The Electric Shop.

Coming from the field, and with the story and comments by those of you who find this type of work will be helpful.

I don't want to deal with wannabee electricians, and the unqualified.

Question: Is the NEC a technical document that should be on everyone's dashboard?

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Speedy Petey

Yes and no.
In NY we need more. We are still under 1999 for all but one and two family and the NYSRBC for 1&2 Fam.

I can't wait until we sort this crap out and can be more in line with the rest of the country. I hate being two (&½) code cycles back.

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boman47k

What told you this? Load demand on a circuit too great? Heh, different colored/type wire on the 30th receptical feeding the next 30?

Brendakeen

That is hideous! We have drywall patchers who come in behind me to make things look better than that.

mdshunk

When you do service work, there is no drywall patcher following you around. There is a world of difference between a construction electrician (such as you are getting into) and a service electrician. Totally different toolbox, so to speak.

Brendakeen

I tried a drywall patch once, you wouldn't want to see it, trust me!

Sparky Joe

So how did you fix it so that the old box(or where it used to be) could mudded over?

mdshunk

I determined that I could refeed all the devices that this buried box went to from above in the attic, so that's what I did. The junction box was basically uncalled for and total laziness. I left that circular blank cover on the wall as my drywall "patch". I don't patch walls. I seldom need to ever make a hole in a wall or ceiling, and I would not have had to make this one if it were not for some jackleg burying a junction box.